Our housemaid / nanny has the flu

bibo
By bibo

The poor girl has 39.6 degres fever and is very very sick.

We took her to Hamad ER and they perscribed Tamiflu for her and asked her to stay in her room for 6 days.

I am really worried for her as she is very weak and never eats healthy despite all our attemps to convince her to eat fruits and salads...

But I am also super worried and have no idea how to deal with this. I am pregnant (and overweight), which makes me double high risk, and I have a 3 years old DS at home.

I realize she needs care and I will never leave her, but I cannot run the risk of it. I also feel uncomfortable telling her not to touch anything, to wash her hands often and not to cough without a tissue... I don't want her to feel unwelcome in my home now that she is sick, specialy that she is so sensitive.

But what to do?

The only person physically capable of taking care of her is my husband, and he comes home very late from work...

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2009 08:59
Rating: 3/5
Amoud

Angelina love.... H1N1 is very serious in pregnant women. the statistics are insane, something like 6% of the deaths are pregnant women but factor in that only 1% of the population is actually pregnant.....

____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By AngelinaBallerina• 19 Nov 2009 08:56
AngelinaBallerina

All hype this flu!!!If she has the virus it will be spread whatever she does. She's had the Tamiflu probably got some side effects, don't worry about being pregnant with flu, coming from a cold country, millions of women get flu when pregnant!!

Don't worry about it!

By Amoud• 17 Nov 2009 16:17
Amoud

Bibo alot of the time when we think we may have something we will indeed get symtpoms. Take is easy :) don't fret until something is confirmed. I have had a cold for months now, nothing serious but sometimes with pregnancy we are a bit stuffy all the time.

___________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By bibo• 17 Nov 2009 16:14
bibo

I will definately give them a call now...

I started coughing today and am not feeling well... hummm...

I pray this is indeed not H1N1!!

By phoenix2009• 17 Nov 2009 09:15
phoenix2009

BIBO

I got to know that H1N1 diagnosis test is available at DohaClinic Hospital at Al Nasr street, it cost QR300,

Try it. hope it'll give you some relieve afterall

Yalla!

By Amoud• 16 Nov 2009 16:45
Rating: 4/5
Amoud

Hmm, Strange. A friend did H1N1 testing in Hamad, paid QR 700 and they sent it to Germany or something of the other....

But..... it wouldnt matter anyway as you have been exposed. Truth be known, more people die of the seasonal flu than have with H1N1, just your risk is greater.

____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By anonymous• 16 Nov 2009 15:52
anonymous

strange 3anjad , that they're willing to pay for air purifiers , but they don't have the guts to speak with the man!!!

************************************

I'm Jack's complete lack of surprise

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 15:50
bibo

I called Hamad hotline: they don't do H1N1 diagnosis test and won't do it.

They just asked me to take precautions and stay 2 meters away from her.

Tey told me that H1N1 is contagious from 1 day before the symptoms till 7 days after.

I am starting to feel the poor girl really has H1N1, coz she has horrible headache, vomiting and horrible joint pains.

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 15:47
bibo

Still smoking...

the last reply I got from HR just yesterday was that they are getting quotations for air purifiers...

This is hopeless...

By anonymous• 16 Nov 2009 15:38
anonymous

************************************

I'm Jack's complete lack of surprise

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 15:31
bibo

Thank you so much...

By Amoud• 16 Nov 2009 15:25
Rating: 5/5
Amoud

Bibo the vaccine is simple, they will give you the injectable, don't take the nose mist as this is the live vaccine.

Go to the Supreme Council of Health, Vaccination center (right beside the Abu Hammour petrol station) with either your health card or passport and you can get it on the spot. Took me about 5 minutes for me and kids.

The treatment for H1N1 and regular flu are the same. The only concern is that you are high risk... and if you have already been exposed the vaccine wont help.

The test is available at Hamad but you have to ask for it. I am not sure how long it takes them to get the result back but there is a hotline number listed on the Hukoomi site (you can google H1N1 vaccinations Qatar or something and you will find it).

__________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 15:18
bibo

Are you sure H1N1 vaccine is available in Qatar?

Where can I get it? as a pregnant woman, I need the non-activated version. Did you manage to find it?

And for the test, I honestly didn't know that I can test her for it, I thought that this was simply not available.

I feel I am in the dark...

By Amoud• 16 Nov 2009 15:03
Rating: 4/5
Amoud

Bibo why didnt you ask Hamad to test her for H1N1? You have to pay for this test (QR 700 I think).

Also, H1N1 vaccine is available here in Qatar. I am also pregnant and wouldnt take the risk so I did the responsible thing and got myself and children vaccinated as we travel a lot. Being pregnant, the risk of serious side effects from the vaccine greatly outweigh the possibility of getting the flu and having severe complications.

On a side note, I hate that youtube video. One instance of something happening with the vaccine and people are refusing to vaccinate themselves?____________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 14:41
bibo

Do you have any idea how to "ask" HMC to confine her?

I don't think this is optional ...

By esther• 16 Nov 2009 13:41
Rating: 4/5
esther

i suggest you better send her to ospital and confine her there.i think nurses and doctors can take care of her..first of all i understand that you want to take care of your nanny but it will be more worst case if you got also the flu at your condtion you are pregnant it may affect to your pregnancy and second thing you have one kid in your house and we all know that kids imune system are very low...so i know your nanny will understand the case...just visit her frequently in hospital so that she will not feel alone....

By Adorman• 16 Nov 2009 13:21
Rating: 5/5
Adorman

9 of my friends got H1N1, they just got Tamiflu and were asked to stay at home for 6-7 days. For Hamad ER, they will give you Tamiflu even if you were just suspected of swine flu.

By phoenix2009• 16 Nov 2009 12:57
Rating: 4/5
phoenix2009

yes Jack is right, i have flu in my house now, the helper, my wife and my children thak God i'm still safe,

but giving tamiflu and quarantine is just the protocol in hamad hospital nowadays, don't be scared, just keep the masks for eveyone in your house , not only her, so she won't feel intimidated, and explain to her your concerns

Hope you'll get through this soon.

Yalla!

By Aunt Polly• 16 Nov 2009 12:57
Rating: 2/5
Aunt Polly

Is it possible, Bibo for you to get her admitted in the hospital till she is better ?

As above, agree that it is not good for you to have to look after yourself, your unknown baby and a sick adult too.

Hope and pray that everything works out.

AP

By Don Robert• 16 Nov 2009 12:56
Don Robert

just explain it to her in a nice way that it would be safer for all of you if she could make more effort in doing proper hygiene so not to spread the flu, i'm sure she would understand....same to you also, take vitamins to avoid getting infected...

By anonymous• 16 Nov 2009 12:50
Rating: 5/5
anonymous

Relax its just a flu...it happens usually when the climate changes....now the climate is changing so expect it....but take precautions also.

Turmeric powder is natural antibiotic. Mix a teaspoon in milk & drink.

Add Ginger to Tea leaves when boiling....makes nice tea ...when you have cold.

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 12:16
bibo

not wanting to hijack my own thread... but something made me furious:

the doctor asked her if she works for a Qatari family.

I am not sure what measures they would have taken if she was!!!

I know Qataris have privileges in their own country, and I kind of accept that, but when it comes to health and life threatening issues, we are all human beings, or aren't we?

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 12:11
bibo

my husband never took a day off of work even when he is very sick..

and he has unbelievable pressure at work so I don't think it is even feasible for him to ask for it.

We will try to work it out ... I still have no idea how.

Thank you for your suggestioons.

Please keep us in your thoughts / prayers.

By blablabla• 16 Nov 2009 11:03
Rating: 5/5
blablabla

They handover tamiflu to whoever rushes there with fevor. I hope she has common seasonal flu. Anyhow your husband should also get off for seven days if you discuss this with your doctor to take care and prevent further spread..

By snessy• 16 Nov 2009 10:57
Rating: 3/5
snessy

Bibo - I agree with Olive's suggestion. It's probably quite harsh of me to say, but currently you have to think of number 1, your unborn baby.

I hope your maid feels better soon :-)

*****If you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all*****

By Olive• 16 Nov 2009 10:54
Olive

If there isn't, would it be possible for your husband to take a few days off work? Technically if she's an H1N1 suspect and he's been around her he should stay home for 7 days anyway.

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 10:51
bibo

I will check with Hamad, to see if there's anyone willing to care for her...thanks.

By Olive• 16 Nov 2009 10:45
Rating: 5/5
Olive

Surely there is someone out there who'd be willing to do it for a few extra Riyal, ask at Hamad. The point is YOU should not be doing it. It would be one thing if you weren't pregnant, but you are, and you're babies life is the most important thing.

By DaRuDe• 16 Nov 2009 10:44
Rating: 2/5
DaRuDe

a mask or get yourself a mask and keep it on all the time in home.

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 10:43
bibo

who would accept to take care of a H1N1 suspected patient???

By bibo• 16 Nov 2009 10:41
bibo

I always believe in the say: what doesn't kill me will make me stronger..

I just pray it won't kill me this time :)

By Olive• 16 Nov 2009 10:38
Rating: 2/5
Olive

Jeez. Talk about unlucky! Is it possible to hire someone else for a week to come in and take care of her? You really shouldn't be around her if you're pregnant.

By DaRuDe• 16 Nov 2009 10:38
Rating: 4/5
DaRuDe

why are you always in weird situations.

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